Everywhere Walt Weiss has gone, success has followed. Rookie of the year. World Series champion. Eight playoff berths. High school fields named in his honor. "Accidental" run-ins with rock star Bruce Springsteen. Weiss has a way about him, a way of producing results.

But to have seen him last Aug. 9 in the Rockies' dugout, his anger palpable after a 1-9 road trip, it was fair to wonder whether the challenge of going from Regis Jesuit High School to managing in the major leagues was too much.

Weiss conducted his only team meeting of the 2013 season that day, a watershed event he believes helped the Rockies finished with some fight, allowing them to enter spring training with optimism not held since 2010. Team owner Dick Monfort told fans on Twitter last week that if healthy, the Rockies will win 90 games this year. Weiss is careful not to predict a record — the Rockies haven't been in the playoffs since 2009 — but he isn't shying away from the confidence his boss espoused after an offseason roster makeover.

"Usually everyone's expectations are high in spring. I don't want to throw a number out there. Some had us last year at 52 wins and some at 80. We are in better shape to handle what the season throws out," said Weiss, who received a three-year contract extension in October. "We are just deeper. You have to pitch to win, and we got better on the mound. I think we are going to be pretty good."

The Rockies spent 27 days in first place last season, the last time May 25. They were 4½ games behind the first-place Dodgers at the all-star break. After June 23, the Rockies were never above .500. They finished 74-88, in last place in the National League West for the second consecutive year. Weiss doesn't need to be reminded of those ugly numbers.

He knows his club was fragile and got nothing out of the fourth and fifth starters in the rotation, and that the bullpen imploded, overwhelmed by an injury to Rafael Betancourt and the ineffectiveness of Matt Belisle and Wilton Lopez.

A better bullpen

Weiss' challenge of making the Rockies a contender begins on the mound.

They added $33 million in contracts with the acquisitions of starting pitcher Brett Anderson, relievers LaTroy Hawkins and Boone Logan, first baseman Justin Morneau (a former American League MVP) and outfielders Drew Stubbs and Brandon Barnes.

Weiss' vision for success begins with the starting pitchers, who will be counted on to work more innings. The rotation returns Jorge De La Rosa, Jhoulys Chacin and Tyler Chatwood. They went 38-21 with a 3.40 ERA last year. De La Rosa and Chacin have no injury concerns; they're looking to throw 200 innings apiece. Chatwood had bone chips removed from his elbow this winter and will be closely monitored.

Walt Weiss is back for seconds as manager. (Karl Gehring, Denver Post file)

If those three repeat last year's performance, the Rockies would have a solid core to build from. The key is not sabotaging it with the remaining two starters. Last season, the Rockies' starters outside of that trio went 16-39 with a 5.95 ERA. The onus will be on Anderson to rebound from elbow and foot injuries, leaving Juan Nicasio, Franklin Morales and Jordan Lyles competing for the fifth slot in the rotation. Top prospects Eddie Butler and Jonathan Gray could make their big-league debuts this season but are not expected to make the team out of spring training.

"We needed more starting pitching. And we need some guys to be good, better than they were," De La Rosa said. "I believe they will."

Weiss isn't sure how he will order the group, other than splitting up left-handers De La Rosa and Anderson. Unlike like last season, when four of the five starters breaking camp had injury issues, Weiss won't have to be as cautious.

While evidence exists that pitchers become less effective the third time through the lineup, it's also proven that bullpens don't prosper by having to eat nine outs per game. Last year's relief corps hemorrhaged in the second half without Betancourt, finishing with an NL-worst 4.23 ERA. The Rockies added Hawkins to close games, though he will likely cede to Rex Brothers when left-handed hitters are waiting in the ninth inning. Even as the cost rose to $16.5 million over three years, Logan was a priority signing, freeing Weiss to use Brothers in the eighth or ninth inning. Belisle and Lopez will slot in the sixth and seventh innings. Adam Ottavino and Chad Bettis are the favorites for the team's final two bullpen slots.

"If LaTroy can be successful as a closer, and he will get some days off, our bullpen sets up really well," Weiss said. "We will be able to match up from the sixth (inning) on, something we couldn't do last year."

"Dangerous hitters"

Weiss' increased input in decisions will be reflected in his handling of the Rockies' pitching staff and lineup. He will hit defending NL batting champion Michael Cuddyer second, followed by Carlos Gonzalez, Troy Tulowitzki, Morneau, Wilin Rosario, Nolan Arenado and DJ LeMahieu (if he holds off Josh Rutledge for the second-base job).

The lineup will change against left-handers, and don't be surprised if Weiss mixes and matches more than a year ago.

"We have a lot of dangerous hitters," Cuddyer said.

The leadoff hitter likely will be the outfielder who flanks Gonzalez and Cuddyer. It won't necessarily be the left fielder. If Charlie Blackmon or Stubbs earns Weiss' trust in spring training, either could start in center field, with CarGo remaining in left. If not, Corey Dickerson, Blackmon or Stubbs could play left field.

"CarGo will start spring in center field, but we will watch all these guys play and come to the conclusion what our best lineup is," Weiss said.

If Weiss knows anything, it's winning. He hasn't experienced back-to-back losing records since the 1993 and 1994 seasons, when he played with the Marlins and Rockies. With more security and comfort on the job, Weiss will be directly responsible for turning the Rockies around.

"Last year I didn't know the club really when I got hired other than what I watched as a fan. I had to cram for the season. As far as getting familiar with the club, it is completely different. I know exactly, at least I think I do, how we need to get better," Weiss sad. "The greatest identity that you can have in this game is that you compete. We are putting together a roster of guys like that and I think it will pay dividends."

Spring forward

Rockies key dates and ticket information:

Monday: First official workout of spring training for pitchers and catchers